Parthasarathi Biswas

Articles By Parthasarathi Biswas

Buoyed by a 2014 policy that encouraged cogeneration plants, the mills had undertaken either expansion or setting up of green field cogeneration plants, only to be deemed ineligible by the end of 2018. In fact, a mill that had received central assistance has now been asked to refund the amount or face criminal action.

In an interview with The Indian Express, state Sugar Commissioner Shekhar Gaikwad talks about the various means the department has devised to address the issue of dues and other problems plaguing the sugar industry.

On Saturday, while addressing the Shakti Kendra chiefs in Pune, BJP's national president Amit Shah and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis both gave a clarion call to party workers to ensure 'Lotus blooms in Baramati'

Speaking to The Indian Express, Shetti said, “We will be writing to mills in this regard,” adding, “we are ready to sell it at prices that are lower than current ex-mill rates, of Rs 2,900 per quintal...”

While presenting the interim Budget on Friday, Union minister Piyush Goyal announced a scheme called Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), under which farmers with cultivable land up to 2 hectares would be provided direct income support of Rs 6,000 per year.

In Maharashtra, offices of around 10 sugar mills were burnt by angry farmers. As farmers count mounting dues, mills point to pending stocks and falling prices. With elections near, The Sunday Express goes to farmers and mills to find out what ails India's sugar heartland.

Prices tend to drop due to low demand and excess production, but this year, high input costs and the drought are adding to farmers’ troubles. Poultry meat, meanwhile, is being sold at Rs 140-150 per kg. I